male caregivers

November is National Family Caregiver month — when we recognize and honor the 40 million family caregivers across this country. Family caregivers are “first responders” in the delivery of long-term services and supports (LTSS). They assist family members or friends with personal care and other vital activities to help them remain in their homes and communities. Across the United States, family caregivers identify, arrange and coordinate services and supports, administer medications, assist with personal care, and perform other vital activities …

I am a Navy veteran of the Vietnam War, having deployed on two different ships four times to the then-war-torn country. I married the love of my life, Mary, after my first deployment in 1970. Looking back these 46 years, I am so glad I married early in life; it enabled us to have so many wonderful times together, raise a family, have careers, travel the world and enjoy our marriage. And looking back, it also bought us some years …

News flash: caregiving can be hazardous to your professional life. This may not come as much of a surprise to any working caregivers out there, but now, at least, there’s documentation in an AARP Fact Sheet to back up what many caregivers already know from our daily lives. The fact sheet, recently summarized by fellow blogger Sally Abrahms, brings together research from a range of studies to make the point that the demands of parental caregiving are becoming increasingly expensive …

When you’re a man grieving the death of your wife or partner, casseroles just don’t cut it. They have to deal with their loss and adjust to a different life. In the old days, if you were a guy, you toughed it out by yourself until you “got over” it. Women more typically vent and share their anguish through established venues like support groups. Sure, men can attend too, but often don’t return, finding themselves outnumbered by females and uncomfortable …